Gleeds, the Birmingham-based management and construction consultancy, has launched its own TV channel aimed at providing an ‘info-tainment’ package of programmes to its staff and clients worldwide.

In what Gleeds believe is an industry first, 18 offices in the UK are to receive the new channel at the end of this month, with a global roll-out to a further 30 offices in the next three months.

A dedicated website – www.gleeds.tv – will also host all the footage, accessible from anywhere in the world.

The channel called "GTV" will feature a mixture of news, technical seminars, project updates, social events and with support from RIBA in London, will show keynote lectures to be broadcast via the new communications system.

The new channel will also feature interviews with key industry figures with architects Ken Shuttleworth and RIBA president Sunand Prasad scheduled to appear in the forthcoming months.

GTV is modelled on a rolling news channel with local news feeds and breaking news relevant to the location of the office shown as rolling captions on the side and bottom of the screen.

As well as having the opportunity to view www.gleeds.tv on their desktops, Gleeds personnel will be able to view the new GTV on screens in all 48 offices worldwide.

Paul Brownsword, who runs Gleeds’ Birmingham operation, said: "This is a first for our industry and having project managed various projects across Birmingham and beyond using our own collaborative communication system we are pleased to be entering the digital broadcasting age and expanding the concept with our own industry alternative.

"The content will appeal to both inside and outside of our business and we welcome others in the industry to contribute."

He added: "The secret of GTV's success will be its mixture of entertainment as well as information and we have a dedicated content-gathering team who have a remit to capture relevant material in the UK and abroad.

"It will assist with recruitment, retention and continuing professional development as well as being fun."